Michael Thomas Baire, 62, of Alum Creek went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at home surrounded by his family and friends.

Mike was a truck driver for over 30 years, most recently a pickup and delivery driver for Estes Express Lines. While driving he visited 44 lower states and Canada.

He was a proud veteran having served 6 years in the U. S. Army attaining the rank of E4.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Hillard and Elma Baire; brother, Randy; and sister, Debra.

He was a devoted daddy and papa. A wonderful husband and best friend for over 42 years to his wife, Patricia Parsons Baire. Mike loved taking trips with Pattie and planned to take her on a long journey “out west” again.

Mike is also survived by daughters Andrea Dawn Jensen (Dave), Brandy Fields, Chrystal Crites (Nate); sisters Brenda (Lenzy) Meickles, Susan (Tim) Atkins, Sherry (Greg) Blake, Patricia (Brad) Rice; grandchildren Henry, Abigail, Matthew and Wesley Jensen, Shane, Donovan and Kasey Fields, Arleigh, Chrystine and Silas Crites; and his mother and father-in-law, Yvonne and Richard Harrison. He will also be greatly missed by his co-workers at Estes who considered him to be “camp counselor”.

Service will be held at noon, Friday, September 22, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating. Burial will follow at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar, WV.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Curry Funeral Home.

James Clyde McCormick, 93, of Alkol went home Thursday, September 14, 2017.

He was a retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA.  Clyde was also a member of the Morrisvale Missionary Baptist Church, an avid  coon hunter and a friend to all.

Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, Kin and Vina McCormick; brothers, Harold, Tommy, Buster and Mink; sons, Norman Kyle and James Darrell McCormick; grandsons, Dwayne and Dwight McCormick; great grandchildren, Kaylee Fowler, Angela Sharps and Jobean Lipscomb.

He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Elsie Loftis McCormick and they were recognized as the longest married couple in the great state of West Virginia for the year 2017; children, Patsy McCormick, Denzil (Debbie) McCormick, Glennis (Johnny) Lipscomb, Clifford (Michele) McCormick, and Donna McCormick and her son, Christopher, who was Clyde’s partner in crime and Christopher’s wife, Ashley, who was Clyde’s personal mechanic;  daughter-in-law, Carol McCormick; brother, Delmer (Betty) McCormick; sister, Betty Jo Campbell;  additional grandchildren Elizabeth, Rebecca, Tammy, Teresa, Michele, Eric, Mindy, Myranda, Brandy, Kasey, Kayla, and Allison;  20 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 18, 2017 at the Curry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Butch Loftis officiating.  Burial will follow at Orchard Hills Memory Gardens.  The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Andrea Gray, Reva Gray, Becky Thompson and Lisa Sigmon along with the Boone Home Health and Hospice for all their special care of Dad.

Barbara Dean Parsons, 88, of Indian Trail, NC (formerly of South Charleston) passed peacefully Thursday, September 14, 2017 surrounded by her family.

She was born January 31, 1929 in Lico, WV. She was the daughter of the late Lafeyette Bunion Hudson and Surilda Jane Gillenwater.

Barbara graduated from Washington District High School in Alum Creek in 1947 and together (for 25 years), she and her late husband, Kellis F. Parsons continued to be involved in the planning of the Washington District High School Reunions. She is well remembered for her undying love for the WVU Mountaineer sports teams. On most occasions, you would find her glued to the TV cheering her Mountaineers to victory.

Barbara was a woman of tremendous faith and also a member of the South Charleston First Church of the Nazarene. She is fondly remembered for her love of cardinals. Every morning she would venture to her back porch to feed them and watch the blanket of red flock to her yard.

She loved and cherished her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by the love of her life of 61 years, Kellis F. Parsons, brothers Luther, Brady Raymond, Eugene and Hayden, and sisters Sydna McClung, Louellen Hudson, Louise Caruthers and Juanita Williams.

She is survived by her children Pete Parsons of South Charleston, Kathy Watkins of Atlanta, GA, Tim Parsons of Dunbar and Karen Mazzaferro of Indian Trail, NC,  eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren who were her pride and joy.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 19. at the South Charleston First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Kent Estep officiating. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 18 at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the South Charleston First Church of the Nazarene,, 4923 Kentucky Street, South Charleston, WV  25303.

Cathey Smith Sproles, 62, of Julian, WV, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston.

She was a server at Quaker Steak & Lube for the past 12 years.  Cathey was a devoted mother, grandmother and beloved sister.  She always had a smile for everyone.  She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie & Inez Smith; sister, Sandy Smith Priestley; and brother, Willie Warren Smith.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah “Katie” McCallister;  son, Scott Gillenwater;  two granddaughters, Sydnee Paige Gillenwater and Hailee LeAnne Pauley; siblings, Patricia (Clyde)  Wooten, Sharon (Phillip) Wiggin, Robin Garton, Carolyn (Herman) Yeager, Jaqueline Sue (Tony) Drake and Eric (Debbie) Smith; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 17, 2017 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, with Pastors Richard McCallister and Frank Chapman officiating.  Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Sumerco.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations toward funeral expenses.

Maggie Jane Lucas, 65, of Alum Creek went to be with the Lord Thursday, September 7, 2017 at home.

She was a member of the Forks of Coal Missionary Baptist Church in Alum Creek.

Maggie was preceded in death by her father, Charles Lucas.

She is survived by her mother, Pearl Creech and sister, Pam (Doug) Hollifield of Mooresboro, NC.

Service will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 10, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Keith George officiating. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 11, at Graceland Memorial Park in South Charleston.

Emma Jean Pauley, 83, of Emmons, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, September 1, 2017 at home with her family by her side.

Emma was a Christian, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She retired from the Kanawha County Board of Education, working as a custodian at George Washington High School.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; parents, Monroe and Gertie Gillispie; daughter, Donna Adkins; son, Johnnie Pauley; grandsons, Danny Raye and Bubby; brothers, Ellsworth and Glen Gillispie; and sisters, Magdalene Barker and Martha Gillispie.

She is survived by her children Danny Pauley, Susan (Chuck) Baileys, Doris (Virgil) Sidwell, Clyde Pauley and David (Lori) Pauley; sisters, Betty (Cline) Lacy and May Dunlap; 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.   A special thank you to  Rennie, Reba and James who never left her side and for that we will be forever grateful.

Service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastors Pete McNeely and Chuck Baileys officiating. Burial will follow at the Gillispie Cemetery, Emmons. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Gary E. Waldron, 72, of Cross Lanes departed this life Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at home.

He worked as a carpenter, plumber and pipefitter at Union Carbide and Ashland Oil. Gary was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 170 AF & AM at Nitro, the Beni Kedem Shriners and the Scottish Rite. He served in the U. S. Army.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Wanda Waldron.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Helen; daughters, Lisa (Tony) Ocampo of Lexington, KY and Jennifer (Stephen) Butta of Alum Creek; grandchildren, Dustin, Stephen, Victoria, Wyatt and Hillary; special cousin, Bill (Corliss) Breeden; brother-in-law, Jim Campbell; sisters-in-law, Joyce Waldron and Linda Canterbury; and nephews and nieces, Jerry, Nick, Brian, Ylonda, Billy, Will, Chad and Teresa.

Service will be 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 3, 2017 at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastors David Mitchell and Larry Westfall officiating. Burial will follow at the Forks of Coal Cemetery, Alum Creek with Masonic Graveside Rites. The family will receive friends from 2 – 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Hospice of Charleston, the Masonic Lodge 170 of Nitro, the VA Medical Staff of Huntington and the Alum Creek Church of the Nazarene.

Paul “Tony” Dunlap, 60, of Sod went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ Tuesday, August 29, 2017.

He was a member of the UMWA and also worked at Union Carbide as an operator.

Tony was a Christian and had served as a Sunday School Teacher at Pine Grove Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Damon and Betty Dunlap.

Tony is survived by his wife, Tammie; daughters, Jessica (Jeff) Powers, Paula Dunlap, Kristina (Michael) Burdette, Melvina (Scott) Canterbury; brothers, Robert (Robin), Jeffery and Jonathan Dunlap; sister, Melissa (Mike) Wheeler;  grandchildren  Marissa, Sarah and Gary Canterbury, Sam and Audrey Powers, and Samantha Burdette; and special nieces, Ashley and Stephanie.

Service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman officiating.  Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery in Orgas.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Lewis B. Wills, Jr., 69, of Charleston departed this life Tuesday, August 29, 2017 after a sudden illness at home.

He was owner and operator of Lew’s Mountaineer Gun Smithing; a lifetime member of the NRA and a former Hunter Safety Inspector.

Lew loved animals. He rescued many cats and spent many hours watching his herd of deer in the hills.  His passion was feeding the hummingbirds and going to flea markets.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Jean Wills and brother Larry Wills.

He is survived by his wife, Marietta; children, Shannon Wills, Lisa Murphy and Greg Daniels; grandchildren, Calynn and Malanya Wills, Ashley and Kaitlyn Murphy, Krista, Amanda and Angie; brother, Steven (Vickie) Wills; and several nieces and nephews.

Lew will be greatly missed by a host of friends, especially Jeff, David and Jack and also his fur babies, Panther, Midnight, Callie, Prissy, Streak and Talker.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Monday, September 4, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier St., Charleston, WV  25311.

French “Tinker” DeBord, 79, of Charleston passed away Monday, August 21, 2017 at Hospice House of Charleston.

French was preceded in death by his parents, Rhoda Mae and French DeBord, brothers, Talmadge DeBord, Jim DeBord, and Gene DeBord, sisters, Fay Bell, Sherry DeHart, Freda Eskew and  Virginia Midkiff.

After serving in the U.S. Army he had a 35 year career with Verizon Communication as a building engineer.

He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 56 years, Sue, sister, Joyce Pauley of Florida and nieces and nephews who have supported him throughout his illness with loving letters, cards and phone calls.

French loved working in their flower gardens. He would dig the hole and Sue would plant the flowers.  He always enjoyed their travel and summer vacations at the beach.

French was a very spiritual person who loved God and wanted to do his will. He was a very kind and generous person who loved spending time with his family and friends.  He was very well known for his heavenly homemade chocolate fudge which he personally delivered to special friends and family.  He loved to play basketball, laugh and enjoy life.

The family would like to thank Hospice for the special care he received.  In lieu of flowers a donation to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd., W., Charleston, WV 25387-2536 would be appreciated.

A celebration of life will be 11:00am Thursday, August 24, 2017 at the Bible Center Church Charleston with Pastor Chad Cowan officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.